KitchenAid Classic 5 Speed Diamond Blender
If you are just starting your search for a new blender, you might be surprised to find there are thousands of options available, with prices ranging from less than £20 to well over £1,000. On the low end of this spectrum, you’ll get a very limited range of features and a more-or-less disposable life expectancy. On the higher end, you’ll find extremely durable, versatile and functional units that can whip up frozen cocktails, make bread dough, grind grain into flour, and transform raw vegetables into steaming hot soup in a matter of minutes.
Between these two extremes, you’ll find just about every possible combination of price points, warranty offers, and functionality. So, if you want to take a step up from the entry-level units, but are not quite ready to invest several hundred pounds (or more) into a blender, you might want to take a look at the mid-level KitchenAid Classic 5-Speed Diamond Blender.
This highly rated unit is definitely a hit with those who have purchased and reviewed it on sites like Amazon. For example, based on more than 660 Amazon reviews, this KitchenAid model has earned a respectable 4.3 (out of 5 possible) stars. In fact, nearly 7 out of 10 reviewers felt this blender deserved a full 5-star review, while another 15% gave it 4 stars. With prices starting around £130, this attractive and versatile machine definitely delivers a lot of value for the money.
So, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect…
For starters, the KitchenAid Classic 5-Speed Diamond Blender motor delivers 550 watts of power. This is a decent amount of power for a blender, but it falls well below the 1,000-watt starting point found on the much pricier high-powered blenders on the market. This isn’t at all surprising when you consider these units cost hundreds of pounds less than those higher-end machines. Other notable features include a sturdy die-cast metal base, durable stainless steel blades and an easy-to-read (and easy-to-clean) touch-control panel.
The KitchenAid Classic 5-Speed Diamond Blender also features 5 flexible speed options: Stir, Chop, Mix, Puree, and Liquefy, and a useful pulse mode that delivers bursts of higher blending speeds when needed. In addition, it offers a powerful ice-crushing mode and an Intelli-Speed Motor Control that can sense what ingredients you are trying to blend and optimise its blending speed for those items.
As far as size, the KitchenAid Classic 5-Speed Diamond Blender weighs in at 4.5 kgs, so while it is not the most portable option on the market, it can be used on the go if necessary. When assembled, it stands 16.5” high, so if you are planning to store your purchase on your worktop, be aware that it will most likely slide under your upper cabinets with the pitcher attached, but the lid may not fit. If this is important to you, measure the space you have available below your upper cabinets before buying this product.
In addition, it comes with a durable, large capacity 60-oz one-piece BPA-free pitcher that is stain-, scratch- and shatter-resistant. This size is useful for making medium-to-large size recipes and is comparable to the 64-oz. jars you’ll find on the much pricier Vitamix and Blendtec models. As an added bonus, this pitcher is dishwasher safe for easy clean up.
For the design-conscious buyer, the KitchenAid Classic 5-Speed Diamond Blender is available in more than 20 eye-catching designer colours, including Green Apple, Tangerine, Watermelon, Espresso and Grape Purple. Be prepared to pay more for your unit depending on which colour you select, however. With so many colours to choose from, including several neutral tones and metallic shades, you are sure to find a perfect fit for your kitchen décor.
Of course, no product is perfect and the KitchenAid Classic 5-Speed Diamond Blender is no exception. Although the vast majority of the reviews left by those who own and use this blender are positive, it should still be noted that some buyers have experienced issues related to parts wearing out more quickly than expected and with the one-piece pitcher design developing leaks.
Most concerning is the fact the Amazon product listing clearly states this model comes with a limited 5-year warranty, but once you dig a little deeper, you will find this is not the case. (The limited warranty period is one year for KitchenAid small appliances, not five). As is always the case when buying a product you plan to use frequently for an extended period of time, it is important to do your own due diligence before investing your hard-earned money.
Bottom Line: The KitchenAid Classic 5-Speed Diamond Blender puts a lot of power, functionality, and versatility at your fingertips. So, you can rest assured your purchase can handle tougher blending tasks than just whipping up delicious milkshakes and frozen cocktails. If this sounds like the right fit for you, you can see all the details here:
On the other hand, if you decide you want even more functionality and the protection of an industry-leading warranty – and you don’t mind spending more money for those features – it’s tough to go wrong with any of the Blendtec or Vitamix models on the market.